Note on Transliteration
Acknowledgments
Preface to the New Edition
Introduction by Sushil Mittal and Gene Thursby
Part 1: What India Has Given to the World
1. Hindu Dharma by John Grimes, Sushil Mittal, and Gene Thursby
2. Jaina Dharma by Anne Vallely
3. Buddha Dhamma by Christina Anne Kilby
4. Sikh Dharam by Pashaura Singh
Part II: What India Has Received from the World
5. Indian Zoroastrian Traditions by T. M. Luhrmann
6. Indian Judaic Traditions by Shalva Weil
7. Indian Christian Traditions by M. Thomas Thangaraj and Rakesh Peter Dass
8. Indian Muslim Traditions by Peter Gottschalk
Part III: Beyond the Introductory Study of Religions
9. Beyond the Introduction—The Next Step by Peter Gottschalk
Glossary
Index
Biography
Gene Thursby is Emeritus Associate Professor of Religion at the University of Florida in Gainesville, USA.
Sushil Mittal is Professor of Hindu Studies and Gandhi Studies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA, and Honorary Professor of Gandhian Studies at GITAM University in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Together the guru-sisya team has also edited The Hindu World and Studying Hinduism, both published by Routledge.
This revised and updated edition is one of the best introductory sources on Indian religions being both accessible and authoritative. An excellent feature is the final chapter that raises critical questions about ‘religion’ as a concept and demonstrating the permeability and interconnections between the traditions discussed in the South Asia context.
- Paul Hedges, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies
The book is a thorough and accessible introduction to the various religious communities of India. It should be the starting point for non-specialists and a point for deeper entry for intermediate students of the region. This book is the answer to teaching the religions of India through multiple perspectives in one semester.
- Yogendra Trivedi, Columbia University
"The organization of the book is clear and precise and works in a larger narrative of constructing “Indian” history. Their introduction states the purpose in releasing a new edition with some additional material in the deliberate structure of chapters in varied lengths, thus reflecting the historical and influential depth that each religious tradition holds. Religions of India is meant to be an introductory resource to help parse out core values, customs, and practices to help enrich appreciation of a diverse world religious landscape. (...) This resource provides a clear and precise overlook of the “movers and shakers” of the religious landscape found in India."
- Anjeanette LeBoeuf, Whittier College
